KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — Egyptian teenager Nadine Shahin pulled off a major upset when she knocked out world number 16, Jenny Duncalf of England in the first round of the 2016 Naza PSA Women’s World Squash Championship held at the Nicol David Arena, National Squash Centre, in Bukit Jalil here today.
The 18-year-old Cairo-born who cleared two hurdles in the qualifying round, scored a 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 win against the 2011 world championships finalist in just half an hour to set up a second-round clash with compatriot world number seven Nouran Gohar tomorrow.
Nouran earned a hard-fought 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 win against French qualifier Coline Aumard in her first-round encounter.
“I’m speechless. It’s my first time to reach the last 16 (second round) of any World Series tournament, let alone the World Championship,” said the petite Nadine.
“It (this victory) means everything (to me) to reach the second round, but it’s not over yet, there’s another challenge tomorrow and I’m up for it.”
Two players currently ranked among the top 10 — world number two Egyptian Nour El Sherbini and world number four Camille Serme of France — also made it to the second round tomorrow after edging their respective opponents.
Serme defeated Hong Kong qualifier Joey Chan 11-9, 11-6, 5-11, 11-4 while Sherbini, the 2013 world championships runner-up, took only 29 minutes to send Donna Urquhart of Australia packing; winning 11-6, 11-6, 11-6.
Second round fixtures
(Note: [ ] denotes seedings)
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) vs [9] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Joelle King (NZL) vs [3] Raneem El Welily (EGY)
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) vs Joshna Chinappa (IND)
Delia Arnold (MAS) vs [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
Nadine Shahin (EGY) vs [8] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
[4] Camille Serme (FRA) vs Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
[11] Annie Au (HKG) vs [5] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
[2] Nicol David (MAS) vs [10] Alison Waters (ENG) — Bernama
